The Data Protection Commissioner is also probing what the hospital is describing as “unauthorized” access and disclosure of patient information and has warned that the problems may not be restricted to Tallaght.

The acting Chief Executive of Tallaght Hospital, John O'Connell, said the hospital had been using the Phillipines-based Uscribe to transcribe medical records.

That contract was terminated in May and since then new systems have been put in place.

“It is now evident that information has been subject to unauthorised access and disclosure,” Mr O’Connell said in a statement.

“The hospital has been working closely with the National Bureau of Investigations in the Philippines and the UK Information Commissioner.

“The IT Director of the hospital has been in the Philippines over the last week to assist their legal authorities.

“"The hospital had been using the transcription service Uscribe based in the Philippines but terminated this contract in May of this year - upon taking up my position in July 2010, I instructed that the transcription service be evaluated.”